OCR Text |
Show maintenance T4iamgm,; .V- - Today's version off e N.'-.a A:..'rt,,.4 ... .. ....- - i - ., X (U.S. Air Force photos by Ralph C. Jensen) i J. ft C. Jensen Ralph Public Affairs Ogden AlC A The old and the new Drastic improvements have been made over the years as indicated by size differences in personnel access hatch covers: The Minuteman One version is shown above, weighing 6 tons and is hydrauli-call- y driven. The updated version, still serving the same function, weighs 3,000 pounds and is opened by hand. and guarded while crews refurbish and revamp internal systems: The facility is the squadron headquarters for 10 missiles. Launch conirol facilify undergoes facelift, front security officers maintain quiet home at By II . a western outpost The Minuteman One launch control facility stands a lone marker on the prairies of South Dakota. As part of the Rivet MILE project, this LCF is still closely watched rij fh.' jtfA- - Office More than just the last outpost on a wild frontier, a Minuteman launch control facility is high tech and a streak of hometown all rolled into one. On parcels of land in America's heartland, the Rivet MILE project has taken over missile silos and launch facilities to refurbish and update those sites, pushing the life expectancy of the Minuteman weapon system into the 21st century. According to Gary Wagstaff, production branch chief of the Missile and Aircraft Systems Pivision of Hill AFB's Directorate of Maintenance, the weapon system is still reliable. The culprit to internal damage, water corrosion, has little to do with the efficiency of the rocket or its guidance system. "It is just the matter of the fact these things need to be taken care of and the project does that," he said. The launch control facility, LCF, is without a doubt a frontier stronghold. Nothing goes in or out without care ful supervision of a security police team checking items and quantities. Aside from the strictness of the military SWAT team, life inside the facility is a persistent flurry of work activity. According to Ellsworth AFB, S.D. Depot Support Center general supervisor Oren Child, the launch control facility of the Minute-ma- n system receives more than twice as much attention from Rivet workers. "The work is different, but as far as launch control facilities are concerned, most tasks and duties have pretty much the same problems," said Mr. Child. "Specific tasks we're working at Wing Two and especially at the LCF are water corrosion and leaks, overhauling blast valves and electrical systems." One of the most common problems crews find is cement work that needs, to be upgraded and patched. According to team chief John Radziwon, cement problems occurred within the first 10 feet of the pouring in the launch capsule. "It seems to 90-fo- ot be the cement the top of the pourhe said. "This problem has ing mark," been the same in each LCF." Other work at the Minuteman One sites is labor on the massive blast door. At the bottom of the launch site each door is being refurbished to make a tighter connection between the underground crew capsule and ladder to the surface. "We have a tremendous amount of work here, ' ' said Mr. Radziwon. An undertaking of precision is beelectriing completed on a high-tec-h cal surge arrestor module, making the compartment safe when put back in use after a y working schedule. 90-fo- ot 33-da- "We have had some major problems in the ESA. Water problems are not restricted to launch tubes," said Mr. Radziwon. "We collect nearly a gallon of water each day. What we have done is collect the water and run it out through polyplastic tubing. It's not a problem that can be solved necessarily, but it's one that we must control." Boss impressed with field work By Ralph C. Jensen Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office : When the boss leaves the office to visit the crews in the field everything is supposed to be in tip-toshape. Gary Wagstaff, production branch chief of the Missile and Aircraft Systems Division in the Directorate of Maintenance, found operations running up to par. He was also impressed by the dedication of crews at the Grand Forks AFB, N.D., and Ellsp worth AFB, S.D., Rivet MILE project, work proceeding as planned. "We make personal visits to these units on a periodic basis. The one thing we want to find out is if there is anything we need to do from a management standpoint," said Mr. Wagstaff. "We like to keep in touch with individual needs at each wing." The touch from the' home port seems to keep the ball rolling on a regulated course. According to Mr. Wagstaff, completion rates of various tasks have been running at the percentage rate, and have been meeting or exceeding time requirements. "From a management standpoint, we're very proud of the job that's being done," said Mr. Wagstaff. "Overall we feel we have an excellent 99-pl- us workforce out there. We're proud of those persons who have left Hill to take on this assignment. "We're equally proud of the local recruits, who have dedicated themselves to the project. It seems every-tim- e we visit field operation those people working want to pull us aside and tell us about their individual work assignments. There's a lot of pride in the work being performed." The production day starts early, even for visiting office personnel, who examine daily work routines and' schedules. Mr. Wagstaff is no exception, starting his morning around 6 r a.m. with a more than drive to the facilities on the outskirts of Rapid City. A hands-o- n look at the progress is welcome, while problems are generally solved with ease. "I'm sure driving out to the fieid on a daily basis is tough on the men," said Mr. Wagstaff. "Of course it's tougher in the winter. That's why they try and reserve the work farther away during the summer months." According to Mr. Wagstaff, office staffers are pleased with job performance, but also with the completion rate and percentage of assigned tasks. "The people we have working out in the field go the extra mile to get the work done," he said. 7 J.L f; ' T 1 J " j Y' A f s? two-hou- i I ) If - "1 4 ' 6 L Tightening the floor IL Production Branch Chief Gary Wagstaff checks the floor anchor underneath the crew capsule at a South Dakota launch control facility. The floor is suspended except while work is being performed by Rivet MILE crews. |